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In this episode, I dive into the SCA flavor wheel and explore why I think it's fundamentally biased in how it represents coffee flavors. I break down the structure of the flavor wheel, examining how it dedicates massive sections to fruity, floral, and acidic descriptors while giving surprisingly minimal space to classic coffee characteristics like sweetness, chocolate, and nutty flavors. I question whether this imbalance reflects what coffee actually tastes like or reveals the preferences of those who created it—potentially light roast enthusiasts who value brightness and acidity over traditional coffee profiles.
By listening to this episode, you'll gain a critical perspective on how professional coffee descriptors shape your buying decisions and learn why trusting your own palate matters more than any industry standard. I encourage you to analyze the flavor wheel yourself, compare it to what you actually taste in your coffee, and develop your own framework for understanding what makes coffee enjoyable to you personally, regardless of what the professionals say you should be tasting.
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